Our View: Construction zone safety first

Spring might be eluding us, but one season we won't escape is construction season.

Various road construction projects have restarted or will be starting soon in and around Grundy County. Among the biggest projects is the work on Interstate 55 near Channahon.

Delays resulting from construction can be maddening, especially during your morning commute to work. No matter how late those delays might make you, remaining calm and driving safely is the best thing you can do.

Here are some other safety tips for driving through road construction zones, courtesy of the Illinois Department of Transportation:

• Slow down. Speed limits are considerably slower in work zones, and fines for speeding increase in speed zones.

• Pay attention. Traffic patterns in work zones can change frequently. Keep an eye out for lane closures and pattern changes.

• Follow the signs. Flaggers, signs and arrowboards are there to guide you safely and efficiently through works zones. Merge early when asked to merge. Don't wait until the last minute.

• Don't follow too closely. Rear-end collisions are one of the most commons crashes in work zones. Be sure to allow 2 to 3 seconds between you and the car in front of you.

• Be patient. Works zones often require lane closures, which will result in delays and backups. Be prepared to slow down and stop. Impatience and anger will not get you through a work zone any quicker.

• Turn on your headlights. Workers and other motorists need to see your vehicle.
Let’s work together to make sure the projects aren’t derailed by any mishaps.